“Orchestrate”
sees world acclaimed guitarist Michael Harris
back with the most ambitious album of his
career. With a style best described as "Neo
Orchestral Metal” the album is a modern
day masterpiece. One listen reveals the
unique combination of electric guitar playing
a very “classical meets metal”
style with an orchestra and metal drumming
complete with stunning guitar virtuosity.
On
the album Michael comments, “My original
vision was to go back to my “Defense Mechanizms” roots, yet to focus on
one style, neo classical metal. As the record
developed, I realized "Orchestral"
was a better term, so I consider the record
to be my one & only neo-orchestral record.
My previous instrumental records have had
some “classical meets metal”
compositions, but this record is focused
exclusively on that style. I recorded all
the backing strings, etc on my keyboard,
and rather than playing chords, most of
the time I treated it like scoring an orchestra,
recording one "voice" at a time.
There is still plenty of guitar of course,
and drummer Matt Thompson did an outstanding
job. My focus compositionally was to create
strong themes first and foremost, before
the musicianship & full arrangements
came into play”.
On
the making of the album Michael states,
“I recorded all the backing strings,
etc on my new Yamaha Motif ES keyboard (because
the sounds blew me away) and rather than
playing chords, most of the time I treated
it like scoring an orchestra, recording
one "voice" at a time. Time consuming?
Hell yes! So what! There is still plenty
of guitar on the record of course, and Matt's
drumming just kicked the whole thing in
the arse!”
“My
focus compositionally was to create strong
themes first and foremost, before the musicianship
& full arrangements came into play.
I didn't intend on writing around any particular
"culture" of music stylistically,
but when I listen back, I hear many different
styles, even some Russian / Slavic themes.
I also wanted to create a record that breathes
with a lot of dynamics, also with at least
one tempo descelerondo, and some free time
tempos”.
Michael’s
classical inspirations include the classical
composers include Bach, Mozart, Beethoven,
Tchaikovsky, Dukas, and Vivaldi. Michael’s
more recent favourites include Krzysztof
Penderecki and Allan Pettersson, stating,
“I’ve found them to have some
captivating ideas texturally, but the classical
composers I appreciate the most (above)
are the ones who composed with the greatest
melodic sense”.
»
Michael Harris is one of the world’s
most recognised virtuoso guitarists having
released six solo albums since 1991.
» Michael Harris recently played guitar
on the acclaimed album Vitalij Kuprij’s
Revenge.
» Album showcases at select elite
websites.
» Michael Harris is available for
interview
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